The general consensus on the first day of split practices was that it was a success.
“Eventually, we will have to get these young [guys] together with the older guys so they understand the intensity with which we play.”
Several newcomers were bumped up to practice with the more experienced morning group. Junior-college transfer Jeff Otah, who is expected to win the starting left tackle job, practiced with the first team.
Two other freshmen, offensive lineman Joe Thomas and quarterback Kevan Smith, practiced in the morning. Smith will alternate morning workouts with freshman Dexter Davidson, and backup quarterback Bill Stull will work primarily with the afternoon group so there is a veteran quarterback to run the offense and mentor the younger players.
It really doesn’t mean anything on the first day, but Davidson showed what would appear to be some nerves in the first day.
Freshman quarterback Dexter Davidson struggled in the second practice, fumbling the first two snaps from freshman center Scott Corson and later an exchange with freshman tailback Kevin Collier, who showed nice quickness in his cuts in traffic.
At the very least, Coach Wannstedt felt it was a success.
Wannstedt was especially pleased with the morning session, as fifth-year seniors like quarterback Tyler Palko and tight end Steve Buches provided strong leadership to the offensive group.
“The older guys came out here and went to work like it was all business,” Wannstedt said. “And that was good. It’ll be good for a couple days, but we’re going to need to get these young bucks with the older guys so they understand the intensity level. But, for right now, the teaching part of it is the way to go.”
Some younger players like freshmen Dorin Dickerson from West Allegheny High School and T.J. Porter from Pahokee, Fla., will alternate working with the veterans in the morning. And Jeff Otah, a 6-foot-6, 340-pound transfer from Valley Forge Military Academy, will attempt to win the left tackle job.
Freshman quarterback Kevan Smith from Seneca Valley and offensive lineman Joe Thomas from Cleveland also worked out with the veterans.
“I’ve been working with the first-team guys for a while now, so I was kind of used to it,” Porter said. “But it was a little overwhelming, at first, since today was when it really counted. But I got the jitterbugs out and feel like I fit in a little better after a while.”
Wannstedt also was impressed with young linemen like freshmen McKenzie Mathews from Syracuse, N.Y., John Malecki from Franklin Regional and Jared Martin from Davie, Fla., and second-year players Mick Williams and Gus Mustakas. Each has a chance to contribute this season.
Other things:
On the injury front, Freshman Dan Loheyde twisted his left knee in a special team’s drill. That’s it for the first day.
Jason Pinkston and Aaron Smith are still waiting for academic clearance from the NCAA, but there doesn’t appear to be major concern.
Freshman DE Justin Hargrove will not enroll at Pitt until January. This was previously noted last month. It is due to a severe head injury suffered last season.
